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Home / Entertainment / Bollywood News / Photos / International Women`s Day 2026: Bollywood female anti-heroes who ruled on screen

International Women`s Day 2026: Bollywood female anti-heroes who ruled on screen

Updated On: 07 March, 2026 02:43 PM IST | Amarylisa Gonsalves

Every once in a while, Indian cinema has taken a break from the badass, bone-breaking male heroes and villains and brought forward a female "anti-heroine" who lacks conventional heroic qualities and is driven by ambition, vengeance, or survival to make choices that are ethically questionable or outright. The evolution reflects a shift where women are finally allowed to be flawed, angry, and unapologetic. As we mark International Women`s Day, here`s looking at some of the most engaging and flawless female anti-heroes of Indian cinema. 

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Every once in a while, Indian cinema has taken a break from the badass, bone-breaking male heroes and villains and brought forward a female "anti-heroine" who lacks conventional heroic qualities and is driven by ambition, vengeance, or survival to make choices that are ethically questionable or outright. The evolution reflects a shift where women are finally allowed to be flawed, angry, and unapologetic. As we mark International Women`s Day, here`s looking at some of the most engaging and flawless female anti-heroes of Indian cinema. 

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Every once in a while, Indian cinema has taken a break from the badass, bone-breaking male heroes and villains and brought forward a female "anti-heroine" who lacks conventional heroic qualities and is driven by ambition, vengeance, or survival to make choices that are ethically questionable or outright. The evolution reflects a shift where women are finally allowed to be flawed, angry, and unapologetic. As we mark International Women`s Day, here`s looking at some of the most engaging and flawless female anti-heroes of Indian cinema. 
<p><strong>Shweta Tripathi in Mirzapur</strong></p> <p>Shweta Tripathi transforms from a book-loving, idealistic college student to a gritty, gun-wielding leader in the series after her sister is killed.</p>

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Shweta Tripathi in Mirzapur

Shweta Tripathi transforms from a book-loving, idealistic college student to a gritty, gun-wielding leader in the series after her sister is killed.

<p><strong>Urmila Matondkar in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya</strong></p> <p>Rai, played by Urmila Matondkar, is an intense, pampered, and socially isolated woman who falls in love and gets obsessed with Jai.</p>

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Urmila Matondkar in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya

Rai, played by Urmila Matondkar, is an intense, pampered, and socially isolated woman who falls in love and gets obsessed with Jai.

<p><strong>Aishwarya Rai in Ponniyin Selvan: II </strong></p> <p>Aishwarya Rai Bachchan plays a calculative queen who manipulates entire empires for her personal gain and revenge.</p>

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Aishwarya Rai in Ponniyin Selvan: II

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan plays a calculative queen who manipulates entire empires for her personal gain and revenge.

<p><strong>Vidya Balan in Kahaani</strong></p> <p>Vidya played a six-month pregnant woman searching for her missing husband in Kolkata. The climax reveals her as a calculated anti-heroine.</p>

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Vidya Balan in Kahaani

Vidya played a six-month pregnant woman searching for her missing husband in Kolkata. The climax reveals her as a calculated anti-heroine.

<p><strong>Sakshi Tanwar in Mai</strong></p> <p>Sakshi starts as a quintessential homemaker and nurse but descends into the dark underbelly of crime, money laundering, and medical scams after her daughter&rsquo;s death,</p>

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Sakshi Tanwar in Mai

Sakshi starts as a quintessential homemaker and nurse but descends into the dark underbelly of crime, money laundering, and medical scams after her daughter’s death,

<p><strong>Kajol in Gupt </strong></p> <p>Kajol portrayed an obsessive lover who is eventually revealed to be the psychopathic serial killer in the film.</p>

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Kajol in Gupt

Kajol portrayed an obsessive lover who is eventually revealed to be the psychopathic serial killer in the film.

<p><strong>Rekha in Khoon Bhari Maang</strong></p> <p>Rekha`s character undergoes a literal and moral transformation into a relentless anti-hero to take down those who betrayed her.</p>

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Rekha in Khoon Bhari Maang

Rekha`s character undergoes a literal and moral transformation into a relentless anti-hero to take down those who betrayed her.

<p><strong>Wamiqa Gabbi in Khuifya</strong></p> <p>Wamiqa`s character undergoes a drastic transformation, shifting from a naive housewife to an active participant in an international espionage mission after knowing her husband is a mole leaking secrets.</p>

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Wamiqa Gabbi in Khuifya

Wamiqa`s character undergoes a drastic transformation, shifting from a naive housewife to an active participant in an international espionage mission after knowing her husband is a mole leaking secrets.

<p><strong>Bulbbul (2020)</strong></p> <p>A child bride, played by Triptii Dimri, grows into an enigmatic woman ruling over her household, hiding her painful past, as supernatural murders of men plague her village.</p>

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Bulbbul (2020)

A child bride, played by Triptii Dimri, grows into an enigmatic woman ruling over her household, hiding her painful past, as supernatural murders of men plague her village.

<p><strong>Sushmita Sen in Aarya</strong></p> <p>Sushmita Sen plays a mother who, while trying to protect her family, evolves into a formidable and cold-blooded leader of a drug syndicate after her husband is killed.</p>

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Sushmita Sen in Aarya

Sushmita Sen plays a mother who, while trying to protect her family, evolves into a formidable and cold-blooded leader of a drug syndicate after her husband is killed.

<p><strong>Alia Bhatt in Darlings</strong></p> <p>Alia Bhatt plays Badrunissa, a woman who kidnaps and tortures her abusive husband to teach him a lesson.</p>

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Alia Bhatt in Darlings

Alia Bhatt plays Badrunissa, a woman who kidnaps and tortures her abusive husband to teach him a lesson.

<p><strong>Samara Tijori in Daldal</strong></p> <p>Samara delivers a breakout performance as Anita Acharya, a character who serves as a dark mirror to the show`s protagonist, DCP Rita Ferreira (Bhumi Pednekar).</p>

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Samara Tijori in Daldal

Samara delivers a breakout performance as Anita Acharya, a character who serves as a dark mirror to the show`s protagonist, DCP Rita Ferreira (Bhumi Pednekar).

<p><strong>Kriti Sanon in Do Patti</strong></p> <p>Kriti portrays identical twin sisters, Saumya and Shailee, who have contrasting personalities. She played an anti-hero after the former`s volatile, abusive husband is killed.</p>

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Kriti Sanon in Do Patti

Kriti portrays identical twin sisters, Saumya and Shailee, who have contrasting personalities. She played an anti-hero after the former`s volatile, abusive husband is killed.

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